Facts - Offshore Wind Farms
Wind from offshore locations is one of the best energy resources. Wind speeds tend to increase as you move offshore. Research indicates that the Mid-Lake Plateau region of Lake Michigan has very strong and consistent winds. They are unobstructed locations, often unseen by communities, capturing the strongest winds available.
A total of 16 offshore projects are currently operational worldwide: the early projects were relatively small scale and shallow or sheltered waters. Not until Blyth Offshore came online, exposed as it is to the full force of the North Sea, could any be described as truly offshore. The newly-completed Horns Rev is currently the largest operating offshore project in the world.
| Location (Offshore) | Country | Online | MW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vindeby | Denmark | 1991 | 4.95 |
| Lely (Ijsselmeer) | Holland | 1994 | 2.0 |
| Tunø Knob | Denmark | 1995 | 5.0 |
| Dronten (Ijsselmeer) | Holland | 1996 | 11.4 |
| Gotland (Bockstigen) | Sweden | 1997 | 2.5 |
| Blyth Offshore | UK | 2000 | 3.8 |
| Middelgrunden, Copenhagen | Denmark | 2001 | 40 |
| Uttgrunden, Kalmar Sound | Sweden | 2001 | 10.5 |
| Yttre Stengrund | Sweden | 2001 | 10 |
| Horns Rev | Denmark | 2002 | 160 |
| Frederikshaven | Denmark | 2003 | 10.6 |
| SamsØ | Denmark | 2003 | 23 |
| North Hoyle | UK | 2003 | 60 |
| Nysted | Denmark | 2004 | 158 |
| Arklow Bank | Ireland | 2004 | 25.2 |
| Scroby Sands | UK | 2004 | 60 |
| Totals | 587 |
Many other countries are also expressing serious intent in developing their offshore resource. Proposed projects include:
Horns Rev II, Denmark, 200 MW + similar project, location to be decided.
Mouth of the Western Scheldt River, Holland, 100 MW
Ijmuiden, Holland, 100 MW
Lillgrund Bank, Sweden, 48 MW
Uttgrunden II, Sweden, 72 MW
Barsebank, Sweden, 750 MW
Kish Bank, Ireland 250 MW+
Cape Wind, USA, 420 MW
Long Island, USA, 140 MW
Arklow II, Ireland, 500 MW
Cape Trafalgar, Spain, 500 MW
Thornton Bank, Belgium, 200 MW
There are also large projects in various stages of development in German Waters. Total planned projects are in excess of 30 GW. France also has 500 MW under consideration. Utilizing megawatt-plus class machines, these projects will generate higher volumes of electricity from the more constant wind regimes experienced at sea and are likely to play a major role in power generation in the future.
Why do we need offshore wind farms?
There are several factors which suggest the development of an offshore wind energy industry. The resource is extremely large, the energy costs, although initially higher than for onshore, are cheaper than other renewable technologies and the risks are low, as early projects have shown.
Many people, while agreeing that wind turbines are a useful strategy, are not happy to see them in their area. This is the NIMBY principle - not in my back yard. Siting wind turbines in the lake will reduce the constraints that can be found on land, such as the visual impact, planning challenges, and corrosion issues typical in sea water.
Commercial-scale offshore wind facilities currently are similar to the onshore wind facilities, but with modifications to prevent corrosion and protect against wave and wind interactions. Roughly 90% of the U.S. OCS resources are over waters that are much deeper than European waters where commercial wind facilities are currently sited.
Information was obtained from the British Wind Energy Association and the U.S. Mineral Management Service.